About Chuck Levy: Chuck Levy has earned the title of Florida's Old-Time Banjo Champ, as well as being a prize-winning Florida fiddler. Originally from Ohio, has been playing old-time music in north central Florida of the last 8 years. He is equally at home on 5 and 6 string banjos (five strings plus a short string), whether fretted or fretless, playing clawhammer and minstrel styles. He draws inspiration from the music of the Midwest, southern Appalachians, and most recently the flatlands of Florida. His repertoire includes its share of uncommon tunes as well as a few intriguing originals. He leads the string bands "Physical Medicine" and "Fear No Weevil". He is the current president of the Florida Banjo Society and a past president of the Florida State Fiddlers Association. He also performs monthly as an Artist-in-Residence for the Arts in Medicine program at Shands Hospital of the University of Florida. Chuck teaches fiddle and banjo in Gainesville, Florida, and directs the Suwannee Old-Time weekend and the Suwannee Banjo Camp.
In July, 2007, Chuck spent two weeks in Gambia, Africa, studying the akonting with Jola master musicians Remi Diatta, Ekona Diatta, as well as with noted researcher and performer, Daniel Jatta. The akonting is an African 3-stringed instrument, similar in construction to the banjo, that is played in a clawhammer-like style.
Organizational Responsibilities and Consulting
Founder and President of the Florida Banjo Society, 2006-2008
Director: Oldtime Banjo Contest at the Florida Folk Festival: 2005-6
This is an annual contest that draws competitors from Florida and neighboring states.
Co-Director and instructor: Suwannee Banjo Camp:2007, 2008
The Suwannee Banjo Camp gathers some of the nations most prominent banjoists for a weekend of performance and instruction
Director and Instructor: Suwannee Old-Time Camp 2006, 2007
The Oldtime Camp presents national and Florida performers on guitar, voice, banjo and fiddle for a weekend of performance and instruction
Banjo Design Consultant to Goldtone: 2006
Goldtone manufactures musical instruments including banjos, guitars, and mandolins.
President of the Florida State Fiddlers Association: 2002-4
The FSFA promotes oldtime and fiddle music throughout Florida and holds a yearly convention with a string band contest and also conducts a fiddle contest at the Florida Folk Festival
Instructor: Beginning fiddle, Suwannee Old Time Camp 2005
Competitions:
2006: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddle Contest
2006: 1st Place Florida Old-Time Music Championships: Banjo
2005: 1st Place: Florida State Banjo Contest
2005: 2nd Place: Southeast Pickin’ & Fiddlin’Contest: Old-Time Banjo
2005: 3rd Place: Southeast Pickin’ & Fiddlin’Contest: Old-Time Fiddle
2004: 1st Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Fiddle)
2004: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddle Contest
2004: 4th Place Florida Old-Time Music Championships: Banjo
2004: 3rd Place: Florida State Banjo Contest
2004: 1st Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Fiddle)
2001: 1st Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Fiddle)
2001: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Banjo)
2000: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Banjo)
Thank you for the kind words about my music. The temptation is truly enormous to sit down right now and document my African experiences . But the story is fairly long and complex, and deserves some work. Right now, as a lawyer, I have a few clients who, I am sure, would prefer that I concentrate on getting them out of jail; and that is what I guess I must do. I will try to write something very soon about Africa, and add it to my page, and I will be sure to alert you to its existence. Thanks again for taking the time to listen to some of my music.
A Friend Is Like A Four Leaf Clover: Hard To Find And Lucky To Have! Have A Great And Wonderful Week! Hope Everything Goes Well ! A Big Hug For Your Friendship!
Hey, i know the Banjoree, Reinhard Gress is one of the guys organizing this event and he is also a great oldtime music "collector", he knows Andreas. Yeah, i hope that i will be there next year... Greetings Sebastian
Hey, yeah i know it is unusual to find some german oldtime pickers...but there allready exist a small community here...and thanks god for the internet to getting closer to american banjo players to learn from them. Greetings from Germany, Sebastian
Hey Chuck! Thanks for the comment! I found you on Sheila Kay Adam's page and caught a listen! Great playing! Sheila is a dear friend of mine in real life. Have a great day!
New Jersey ain't got but one fiddle player.Wish you were here,My music without fiddle is like a planet without air. yer pal Jet Weston .....Lovin the Banjer too..............
